iPhone 12 OLED Screen Issue

I have the same issue on my iPhone 12 running IOS 14.2(then) and 14.2.1(no); had the same issue on both IOS versions. It became apparent when watching video on YouTube. I noticed the side flicker when my brightness was below 80% brightness. At first I called my roommate who has and iPhone XS running IOS 13.X.X. We compared screen and it seem he did not had the same issue. I then compared my screen along another friend who had an iPhone 12 Pro Max and he experienced the same flickering/non true black problem. I also notice that if you are watching YouTube or Netflix and raise your volume you get a sim while outline in low brightness. Lastly, I contacted Apple and they told me the issue was software and that it would be fix in the upcoming software updates. Thus, I’m waiting to see at which version OS the problem gets resolved.

Another thing I noticed is that the green tint is not the same for all of the models, which is kinda worrying.

Mine is green, my brother’s is light grey.

And again, mine flashes a lot more in the dark, his still flashes but it’s more subtle and less disturbing to the eyes.

Do you think a software bug can vary from phone to phone? That sounds really strange to me.

Also, the reason why who’s installing the beta versions of iOS 14.2 and iOS 14.3 is still experiencing this issue, could mean that they are installing a version that doesn’t include the bug fix, no matter how further they go with iOS?

I mean, can we expect a minor iOS 14.2.2 or 14.2.3/ 14.2.4 that finally fixes the problem while the already existing 14.3 (beta) doesn’t? I really hope so.

It's definitely faulty screens (a fault in the manufacture process) but Apple still hopes they can fix that with a software fix - but they can't.

I just hope that because of this issue their quality control is better now and the next batch will be with properly working screens - then I'll order mine. For now I'm not paying £1200 for a broken phone. Also on this forum there are some other very concerning issues with overheating and wireless charging not working...

Do you think I should ask for a replacement straight away? I’m sick of it already. I hope they are allowed to service my phone.

Apple have clearly advised technicians not to take into account this problem for the time being as they are working on a fix, or trying to at least.

I think I'd just return it for now, because most likely the replacement will have the same issue. Or return it and get another one just to check if there is a new batch with working screens now.

Obviously Apple advised not to replace these iPhones as there is no fix and it's just extra cost to them to deal with a refund when the new phone they give you will be broken too...

I’ve just now discovered this issue last night as I went to set an alarm in dark mode while in the dark I noticed it flashing from true black to gray. Highly annoying. But what’s even more annoying is this being a hardware issue that won’t get corrected and have to be replaced.

@slooom98 sorry do not understand what i guess is Arabic, can u give us some context and what it says ?

thanks.

but to recap , all orders received after nov 10 Worldwide are eligible to a full refund until January 8 included.

like each year on Apple.com ...

so we can keep out phones and wait to see if they fix it before this timeline.

i think 100% of the phones are plagued with this, but most users do not notice it, cos i had to search for it, or being in specific conditions like reboot with apple logo in complete darkness to be able to see this bug.

And macrumors said more than a week ago that they found documents from Apple to their After Sales technician , Apple told them not to exchange the phone if possible cos they think this will be patched like what happened to iPhone 11 ( nearly the same issue this summer and they had fixed it via an IOS update.

I can 100% confirm not all of the models are affected. I took mine to the nearest Apple Store yesterday and they didn't even know Apple is working on a software fix, they serviced my phone, acknowledged the issue affecting my screen and said I can get a replacement working unit in a few days. I also tested all the demo units and they were working just fine, no flickering or green tint at all.

in an apple store or retailler you would not be able to see the issue il talking about, do not forget that they are two issues with the screen a yellow or green tint that is persistant , and one that you can spot only IN COMPLETE DARKNESS with not a single light around you...

@glop_91 can u tell us what issue you had please ? cos it will help us.

If you pay close attention and hide the display with your arm, thus "artificially" creating a dark environment around the screen area, you are able to see this issue. Before talking to the technician I compared mine to the demo unit and the difference was blatant even with plenty of light in the room. I only covered both screens with my arm and the result was there: pure blacks for the demo unit, low-quality green flashing OLED panel (mine).

Also, I asked a friend of mine to check hers before heading to the Apple store. We did the exact same test in the exact same pitch black room and I can confirm hers didn't have any issue at all.

Anyway mine had a green tint that would flash when playing videos with black backgrounds in complete darkness.

okay i do not have the exact same issue as yours, mine is one who is not noticeable unless you are in complete dark , for exemple if i watch a black background in photos app and move brightness to 100% all is okay when watching the screen, it's totally turned off but as soon as i lower the brightness under 100% the screen will stay for one to 10 seconds with all the pixels having a green tint and u can see this black in the dark but after a while it snaps back to perfect blacks.

but i have another issue switching from an iPhone X who had a white balance with a blue tint , the 12 pro max have a permanent yellow tint that is not nice, i had to go to accessibility and manage the color accuracy to correct the white balance.

i prefer to wait until like the 2nd of january to see if a software fix is released, if not i'll ask for a refund and order a new one. cos i'm not fond of exchanges even if apple would send me a brand new unit.

You can only see the green glow in complete darkness. You would never be able to tell whether or not demo units in a store have it. "Covering it with your arm" wouldn't be nearly enough in the middle of a bright retail store. I've tried to show people the problem by turning off all the lights in my living room at night and even the ambient light coming in the windows from street lamps Makes it hard to see. You need to be in complete and total darkness. Like, sealed room with no windows, can barely see your own hands, darkness.

This is why I keep saying people who claim not to have it just aren't testing properly.

best way to see this issue of the grey flicker is by locking you up in a complete dark room and reboot the phone , and watch carefully when the apple logo appears after 10 sec this grey or green flicker should appear if your unit is faulty and stay just for 1 sec or less ( sometimes more ) and then switched to black

a good test to is saving a unicolor black wallpaper in the photos app and push brightness to 100% come back and see the picture in pitch black, you should not see any issue, but after lowering the brightness and looking at the black wallpaper you'll see the screen , like if it was a backlit LCD one for a while before it switches back to perfect black...

that's the best tests u can do to notice it. otherwise you do not notice it , in my case 99% of the time i do not notice it...

True. I found the best way to really test the demo units and your phone while being at the store is to power off and power on the demo unit, if you look closely and see a flicker in the display then it obviously has the fault. I tested two demo units in different stores the same way and they had the fault because also my phone did the same lol(flicker).

Now I don’t know if I should replace mine or not, because I have read the comments here, and replacements still result in having the same issue. And personally, I don’t feel like wanting to go through backup processes, just to end with the same issue of no true blacks under certain brightness levels.

Bonjour, je suis Belge et j’ai aussi un problème d’écran OLED sur mon tout nouveau iPhone 12 Pro Max 256gb commande le 12/11/2020 « Europe ».

lorsque je met l’écran en luminosité minimum j’ai une bande au milieu à droite de l’écran elle est constamment là et j’ai l’impression de voir une sorte de tache en halo au dessus et en dessous moins visible que la bande au centre, c’est horrible je n’ai l’impression de ne voire plus que cela !